This perpetual calendar includes:
- Remarkable testimonies of souls won to the Savior
- Explanations of gospel concepts
- Answers to frequently-asked questions
- Stories of real-life witnessing opportunities
- Encouragements and tips for sharing the glorious gospel
March 5
The word “Agnosticism” was introduced by Thomas Henry Huxley in 1869 although the concept of pleading ignorance in spiritual matters has been around since antiquity. This is the philosophical view that the truth value of certain claims—particularly claims regarding God and the afterlife—is unknown or, depending on the form of agnosticism, inherently unknowable. Philosophers and thinkers who have written about agnosticism include T.H. Huxley, Robert Ingersoll, and Bertrand Russell. But whatever these adherents are, they can’t claim ignorance: they do know a great deal. They claim to know more than Jesus does, because He said you can know! “If you continue in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn 8:31-32). Here is the process outlined by the Savior: take His Word seriously; agree with what you can; this will lead to greater knowledge; in the end, the truth will prove itself by setting you free.
Today’s Reading: Joshua 20-22 Memorize: Isaiah 8:20March 4
“When they saw the boldness of Peter and John…they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Queen Victoria had asked her chaplain if “‘one could be absolutely sure in this life of eternal safety?” He said he “knew of no way one could be absolutely sure.” John Townsend wrote the queen: “With trembling hands, but heart-filled love and because I know that we can be absolutely sure, even now, of our eternal life in the home that Jesus went to prepare, may I ask your Most Gracious Majesty to read the following Scriptures: Jn 3:16; Rom 10:9, 10; 1 Cor 15:51, 58. These passages prove there is full assurance of salvation by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, for those who believe and accept His finished work.” She replied: “I have carefully and prayerfully read the portions of Scripture referred to. I believe in the finished work of Christ for me, and trust by God’s grace to meet you in that home of which He said, ‘I go to prepare a place for you.’”
Today’s Reading: Joshua 17-19 Memorize: Isaiah 7:14March 3
It is a common argument, when discussing Isaiah 53 with a Jew, that the Servant of the Lord represents his suffering people, but Old Testament scholar Arnold Fruchtenbaum writes: “To interpret Isaiah 53 as speaking of Messiah is not non-Jewish. In fact, if we are to speak of the traditional Jewish interpretation, it would be that the passage speaks of the Messiah. The first one to expound the view that this referred to Israel rather than the Messiah was Shlomo Yizchaki, known as Rashi…But this was to go contrary to all rabbinic teaching…of the preceding one thousand years. Today Rashi’s view has become dominant in Jewish and rabbinical theology. But that is not the Jewish view. Nor is it the traditional Jewish view. Those closer to the time of the original writings…interpreted it as speaking of the Messiah.” The Lord said to the Jews of His day, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (Jn 5:39).
Today’s Reading: Joshua 14-16 Memorize: Isaiah 5:20March 2
“…Come…Come…come” (Rev 22:17). When I found my usual barber shop closed, I crossed the street to a “salon,” and was served by a woman who told me her name was Delilah! “The Bible says some interesting things about you,” I replied. “Yes, I guess I was fated to cut hair.” “There are many interesting things in the Bible,” I ventured. “Like what?” “Like, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’.” “Are you a believer?” she queried. “Yes, are you?” “For just a few months,” she replied. She had been a hairdresser to the stars in Hollywood but her sinful life had inflamed her conscience so she took a few weeks off and read the Bible all the way through. Just before the last chapter, she thought, I’ve almost read through the whole Bible and nothing has happened. Maybe I’m too bad; maybe God doesn’t want me. “But then,” she said with a big smile, “I read the last chapter, and Jesus said, ‘Come!’ so I came!” How good that He said it again, and again, and again.—J.B.N.
Today’s Reading: Joshua 9-13 Memorize: Isaiah 1:28March 1
Good works can be an effective handmaiden to the Good News. You are indeed a profitable Christian if everyone is glad to see you coming, if eyes light up at your approach, especially if little children love to be with you and are sorry when you must go. You are a profitable Christian if you are making happy those whom Christ came to make happy—particularly the poor, the sick, the lonely, the sorrowing, the sinful, the oppressed. These six classes of people were closest to the heart of Jesus, because their need was the greatest; and He is best pleased when they are closest to the hearts of His disciples. Care for these and your lives will exhibit the pure gold of the kingdom of heaven. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10). Christ “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14).
Today’s Reading: Joshua 6-8 Memorize: Isaiah 1:18February 28
When witnessing, don’t be surprised to meet believers who are shaken in their faith by some tragedy that baffles them. They are tempted to doubt God’s love or wisdom. George Henderson tells of a believer who said: “I often remember my first year at college, when I was having difficulty with math. After two or three hours of study, I found it hard to think clearly or even to keep awake. At length I thought the matter out to two reasonably certain conclusions. From then on, I worked hard till I found myself getting sleepy; then, turning out my light, I went cheerfully to bed. The two things that were clear: the answer in the book was right, and I could solve the problem in the morning. That experience comes to me again and again when I face the deep mysteries of life and grow weary in seeking to understand them. But I know that, after the darkness, I shall wake here or in the world to come and discover that the answer in the Book was right” (see Jn 13:7).
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 34; Joshua 1-2 Memorize: Ecclesiastes 7:2February 27
While speaking on the Bible’s inspiration and the many prophecies fulfilled by the Messiah, one detractor advanced the theory that Christ planned His actions based on the Messianic program. I replied: “Did Judas arrange to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver to fulfill the prophecy (Zech 11:12)? And after Judas hanged himself, who arranged for a potter’s field to be bought with the money? And how, while hanging on the Cross, did Jesus persuade the soldiers to divide His outer garments and cast lots for His inner robe (Ps 22:18)? Did His enemies gave Him vinegar to drink in order to fulfill Psalm 69? If your theory is to hold good, you must also explain how it was that, after Jesus was dead, the soldiers decided not to break His legs, as they did to the two thieves by His side. Did they act as accomplices with Jesus in thrusting a spear into His side (Zech 12:10)?” The force of the evidence “stopped” his mouth (Titus 1:11) and opened his ears to the truth.—Arthur Gook
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 31-33 Memorize: Ecclesiastes 2:11